Apparatus for processing rubber, plastic and the like and parts thereof

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for processing rubbers, plastics, other elastomers, and the like, including a rotatable material processing member having a processing portion within a material processing chamber and supporting shaft portions extending through end walls of the chamber and a seal having a water-cooled wear ring for preventing the leakage of material from the mixing chamber around the shaft portions of the rotors extending through the end walls of the mixing chamber.

United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,727,893

Matsuoka Apr. 17, 1973 1 APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING 3,540,742 11 1970Tracy ..277 75 x RU PLASTIC AND THE LIKE 3,582,089 6/l971 Amorese..277/74 X AND PARTS THEREOF v I Pnmary Exammer G. V. Larkm Inventor:James Matsuoka, Brecksville, Attorney-Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & HeinkeOhio [73] Assignee: Intercole Automation, Inc., Cleve- [57] I CT land,Ohio Apparatus for processing rubbers, plastics, other elastomers, andthe like, including a rotatable material [22] July 1971 processingmember having a processing portion within [21] App]. No; 163,918 amaterial processing chamber and supporting shaft portions extendingthrough end walls of the chamber and a seal having a water-cooled wearring for US. Cl. preventing the leakage of material fr m the mixing [5]]Int. Cl. chamber around the shaft portions of the rotors ex- [58] Fieldof Search ..277/93, 74, 75, 72; tending through the end walls of themixing chamber.

[56] References Cited 4 ciaims, 9 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS5/1967 Tracy ..277/74 X PATENTED 1 3.727. 893

SHEET 1 [1F 5 INVENTOR.

JAMES T MATSUOKA BYWj w) 1 l} 1 I fwwfi ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEDAPR 1 71975 37/27. 893

SHEET 2 OF 5 INVENTOR. JAMES T. MATSUOKA BY Wm 7 7 Ewe/DJ W ATTORNEYSPATENTEI] APR 1 7 I973 SHEET 3 UF 5 mOI INVENTOR. JAMES T. MATSUOKA Wain,7

ATTOQNEYS FIGS FIG

INVENTOR. JAM ES T. MATSUOKA BY Wm,

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAPRI 11915 is; 727. 893

SHEET 5 OF 5 INVENTOR. JAMES T. MATSUOKA BY Hoff mam, imam ATTORNEYSAPPARATUS FOR PROCESSING RUEBER, PLASTIC AND THE LIKE AND PARTS THEREOFBACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The invention relates toapparatus of the enclosed bladed rotor-type for blending, mixing and/orother processing of plastics, rubbers, elastomers, and other likematerial, included in the class of apparatus sometimes referred to asvulcanizable rubber apparatus.

2. Description of Prior Art Apparatus for blending and otherwiseprocessing rubbers, plastics and like materials in a closed chamber by abladed rotatable member is well known. Exemplifications of suchapparatus are disclosed in Applicants prior patents including U. S. Pat.Nos. 3,403,864 and 3,558,106.

Such apparatus commonly includes some type of seal to prevent theleakage of material from the mixing chamber around the shaft portions ofthe processing rotors which extend therethrough. In some instances suchseals comprise metal'members biased into engagement with one another.The processing is usually carried out at elevated temperatures and thematerial is usually highly susceptible to contamination by foreignmaterials, such as, lubricating oils, etc. The aforementioned and otherfactors make it difficult to prevent leakage about the mixing chamberwhere the shaft portions of the rotor or rotors extend through the wallsthereof. Because the material being processed typically solidifies uponcooling, temperature control of the seals is important and such controlheretofore has not been entirely satisfactory resulting in extremelyshort life, etc. of the seals and in excessive down time and highmaintenance costs of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a processingmachine particularly adapted for blending, mixing and/or otherprocessing of plastics, rubbers, elastomers and the like, having a rotorprovided with a bladed processing portion within a processing chamberand shaft portions extending through the end walls of the chamber andseal means for preventing the leakage of material from the chamber aboutthe shaft extensions comprising a water'cooled wear ring connected tothe exterior of the end wall of the mixing chamber and having a radialportion facing the mixing chamber engaged by a second ring-like memberbiased into engagement therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevationalview of an apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view with parts in elevationapproximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view with parts in elevationapproximately on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2',

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away to better showthe construction, of the stationary wear ring;

FIG. 5 is a view approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of theupper portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper part of FIG. 5.

The processing machine shown in the drawings and designated generally bythe reference character A is similar to that shown in US. Pat. No.3,558,106 and only those parts of the apparatus which are necessary foran understanding of the present invention are shown in the drawings anddescribed in detail.

The apparatus A comprises two side-by-side rotors R, only one of whichappears in the drawings, supported in suitable bearing means lid in endframe members I41 detachably connected to. front and rear side framemembers id. The end and side frame members form a material processingchamber C within which bladed processing portions 26 of the rotors arelocated.

The rotors are suitably driven in opposite directions by 7 drive meansdesignated generally by the reference character D. Shaft portions 26 ofthe rotors extend through openings 2% in the end members and eachopening is provided with seal means designated generally by thereference character S for preventing the leakage of material from theprocessing chamber through the end frame members about the shaftportions.

The seals 5 are alike and each comprises a ring-like member 30 havingexternal and internal flanges 32, 34, respectively. The member 30 iswelded or otherwise suitably secured within one of the annular openings28 in the end frame members such that one radial face of the member 30forms a portion of the interior wall of the mixing chamber. The other orexternal radial face of the member 363 has a stationary wear ringassembly d ll detachably secured thereto as by machine screws 42. Theassembly d0 extends radially inwardly beyond the internal face of themember 30 and with the internal flange 34 of the member 36 forms aninternal groove 41 i within which projects an external flange 46 of arotatable member 88 forming part of a rotatable wear ring assembly 56.

In addition to the member 43, the assembly 50 includes an annular member52 secured to the outer or right-hand end of the member 48;, as viewedin FIG. 3 of the drawings, by machine screws 54. The member 52 extendsradially inwardly beyond the inner wall of the member id to a positionclosely adjacent but spaced from the shaft section 26 of the rotor, andcarries a plurality of members 56 threaded into suitable tappedapertures, the inner or left-hand ends of which engage compressionsprings 23% located in axial bores 60 in an annular member 62 on theshaft portion 26 of the rotor interposed between the member 52 and aflange 64 on the rotor immediately adjacent but slightly spaced from theadjacent inner end wall of the mixing chamber C. The construction issuch that a small clearance is provided between the member 30 and themembers 48 and 62 and the flange 46. An O-ring 66 in an internal groovein the member 48 adjacent its left-hand end prevents the leakage orescape of material from the mixing chamber between the interior of themember 48 and the exterior of the member 62. The assembly 50 and themember 62 are slidably keyed to the shaft section 26 of the rotor in asuitable manner as by a key 68 so that they rotate with the rotor.

For the purpose of facilitating manufacture the assembly 40 isconstructed of two annular members 72, 74, the latter being locatedradially within the former and fixedly secured together as by welding.For the purpose of facilitating assembly the assembly 40 is made in twosemi-circular parts 40a and 40b, see FIG. 4. More specifically, theassembly 40 is split on the vertical centerline, as viewed in FIG. 4.

Prior to assembly of the members 72, 74, the inner member 74 is providedwith an external annular groove 76, half of which is in each of the twoparts 74a, 74b of the member 74. The upper adjoining ends of thesemicircular grooves 76a, 76b of the groove 76, as viewed in FIG. 4, areblocked or closed by members 34 32, respectively, welded therein. Themembers 80, 82 are slightly spaced from one another but this is merely amanufacturing facility. The opposite ends of the semicircular grooves76a, 76b are similarly blocked by members 84, 86. Each of thesemi-circular grooves 76a, 76b, has a substantially semi-circulartubular member 90, 92, therein. The tubular members 90, 92 are fixedlysecured in suitable apertures in members 94, 96, at the top of theassembly 40, as viewed in FIG. 5, and welded in place in the respectiveportions 76a, 76b of the groove 76 in the member 74 adjacent to butspaced at opposite sides of the members 80, 82, respectively. Themembers 94, 96 divide the grooves 76a, 76b into two chambers 100, 102and 104, M6, respectively. The chambers 100 and 104 are relatively smalland are between the members 80, 94 and 82, 96, respectively, and thechambers 102 and 106 are relatively large extending from the member 94to the member 84 and from the member 96 to the member 86, respectively.

For purposes of cooling the wear ring assembly 40, a water inletconnection of each of the chambers 100, 104 is provided in the form oftapped apertures 110, 112 in the right-hand wall of the member 74, theinner ends of which communicate with the chambers 00, 104, respectively.Water entering the chambers 100, 104 through the openings 110, 1112 iscirculated through the tubes 90, 92 to the lower ends of the grooves76a, 76b, as viewed in FIG. 4, from which position it returns in thegroove 76a, 76b along the exterior of the tubes 90, 92 to outlets at thetop of the assembly in the form of a tapped aperture 114, 116 in therighthand wall of the member 74 and communicating with the grooves 76a,76b at a point adjacent to the members 94, 96, respectively.

The reference character 120 designates tapped apertures in the innermember 74 of the assembly 40 communicating through suitable openings 122with short arcuate grooves 124 in an annular bearing member 126 carriedby the assembly 40. The axial facing left-hand radial surface of themember 126 is engaged by an axial facing radial surface on theright-hand side of an annular bearing member 128 carried by the member48. The bearing members 126, 128 are made of suitable metallic bearingmaterial and are fixedly connected to the parts 74, 48, respectively, ina suitable manner. Lubricant is supplied to engage surfaces of thebearing members 126, 128 through the apertures 120, etc. The bearingmembers serve bearing, wearing and seal functions. The pipe 130 is usedto supply processing oil to the space between the members 30 and thepart 46 of the member 48.

From the foregoing disclosure including a detailed showing anddescription of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will beapparent that the invention provides a processing machine particularlyadapted for processing plastics, rubbers, elastomers and the like, theshaft projections of the rotors of which are sealed by means including awater-cooled wear ring.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described inconsiderable detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the particular apparatus shown and it is the intention tohereby cover all adaptations, modifications and uses thereof which comewithin the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In apparatus for processing rubber, plastic, and the like, a housinghaving a material processing chamber, a rotor having a materialprocessing blade in the processing chamber with at least one end of therotor extending outwardly of the processing chamber through an openingin the housing, a seal for preventing leakage or escape of materialbeing processed between the housing and the extension of the rotorthrough the opening in the housing comprising: two concentric ring-likeassemblies for closing the opening in the housing surrounding the rotor,one being orientated radially inwardly of the other; means for securingthe outer of said ring-like assemblies to the housing; means forsecuring the inner of said ring-like assemblies to the rotor; said innerof said ring-like assemblies having a radial surface slidably engaging aradial surface on said outer of said ring-like assemblies; means biasingsaid radial surface on said inner of said ring-like assemblies intoengagement with said radial surface on said outer of said ring-likeassemblies; and means for circulating a heat exchange fluid through atleast a portion of said outer of said ring-like assemblies.

2. In apparatus for processing rubber, plastic, and the like, a housingproviding a material processing chamber, a rotor having a materialprocessing blade in the processing chamber with at least one endextending outwardly of the processing chamber through an opening in thehousing, a seal for preventing leakage or escape of material beingprocessed between the housing and the extension of the rotor through theopening in the housing comprising: two concentric ring-like assembliesfor closing the opening in the housing surrounding the rotor, one beingorientated radially inwardly of the other; means for securing the outerof said ring-like assemblies to the housing; means for securing theinner of said ring-like assemblies to the rotor; said inner of saidring-like assemblies having a radial surface facing away from the mixingchamber slidably engaging a radial surface on said outer of saidring-like assemblies; means biasing said radial surface on said inner ofsaid ring-like assemblies into engagement with said radial surface onsaid outer of said ringlike assemblies; and means for circulating a heatexchange fluid through at least a portion of said outer of saidring-like assemblies.

3. ln apparatus for processing rubber, plastic, and the like, a housingproviding a material processing chamber, a rotor having a materialprocessing blade in the processing chamber with at least one endextending outwardly of the processing chamber through an opening in thehousing, a seal for preventing leakage or escape of material beingprocessed between the housing and the extension of the rotor through theopening in the housing comprising: two concentric ring-like assembliesfor closing the opening in the housing surrounding the rotor, one beingorientated radially inwardly of the other; the outer of said ring-likeassemblies comprising at least two arcuate parts, means for securingsaid parts of said outer of said ring-like assemblies to the housing;means for securing the inner of said ring-like assemblies to the rotor;said inner of said ring-like assemblies having a radial surface slidablyen- I like, a housing providing a material processing chamber, a rotorhaving a material processing blade in the processing chamber with atleast one end extending outwardly of the processing chamber through anopening in the housing, a seal for preventing leakage or escape ofmaterial being processed between the housing and the extension of therotor through the opening in the housing comprising: two concentricring-like assemblies for closing the opening .in the housing surroundingthe rotor, one being orientated radially inwardly of the other; theouter of said ring-like assemblies comprising at least two arcuateparts, means for securing said parts of said outer of said ring-likeassemblies to the housing; means for securing the inner of saidring-like assemblies to the rotor; said inner of said ring-likeassemblies having a radial surface facing away from the mixing chamberslidably engaging a radial surface on said outer of said ring-likeassemblies; means biasing said radial surface on said inner of saidring-like assemblies into engagement with said radial surface on saidouter of said ring-like assemblies; and means for circulating a heatexchange fluid through at least a portion of said outer of saidring-like assemblies.

1. In apparatus for processing rubber, plastic, and the like, a housinghaving a material processing chamber, a rotor having a materialprocessing blade in the processing chamber with at least one end of therotor extending outwardly of the processing chamber through an openingin the housing, a seal for preventing leakage or escape of materialbeing processed between the housing and the extension of the rotorthrough the opening in the housing comprising: two concentric ring-likeaSsemblies for closing the opening in the housing surrounding the rotor,one being orientated radially inwardly of the other; means for securingthe outer of said ring-like assemblies to the housing; means forsecuring the inner of said ring-like assemblies to the rotor; said innerof said ring-like assemblies having a radial surface slidably engaging aradial surface on said outer of said ringlike assemblies; means biasingsaid radial surface on said inner of said ring-like assemblies intoengagement with said radial surface on said outer of said ring-likeassemblies; and means for circulating a heat exchange fluid through atleast a portion of said outer of said ring-like assemblies.
 2. Inapparatus for processing rubber, plastic, and the like, a housingproviding a material processing chamber, a rotor having a materialprocessing blade in the processing chamber with at least one endextending outwardly of the processing chamber through an opening in thehousing, a seal for preventing leakage or escape of material beingprocessed between the housing and the extension of the rotor through theopening in the housing comprising: two concentric ring-like assembliesfor closing the opening in the housing surrounding the rotor, one beingorientated radially inwardly of the other; means for securing the outerof said ring-like assemblies to the housing; means for securing theinner of said ring-like assemblies to the rotor; said inner of saidring-like assemblies having a radial surface facing away from the mixingchamber slidably engaging a radial surface on said outer of saidring-like assemblies; means biasing said radial surface on said inner ofsaid ring-like assemblies into engagement with said radial surface onsaid outer of said ring-like assemblies; and means for circulating aheat exchange fluid through at least a portion of said outer of saidring-like assemblies.
 3. In apparatus for processing rubber, plastic,and the like, a housing providing a material processing chamber, a rotorhaving a material processing blade in the processing chamber with atleast one end extending outwardly of the processing chamber through anopening in the housing, a seal for preventing leakage or escape ofmaterial being processed between the housing and the extension of therotor through the opening in the housing comprising: two concentricring-like assemblies for closing the opening in the housing surroundingthe rotor, one being orientated radially inwardly of the other; theouter of said ring-like assemblies comprising at least two arcuateparts, means for securing said parts of said outer of said ring-likeassemblies to the housing; means for securing the inner of saidring-like assemblies to the rotor; said inner of said ring-likeassemblies having a radial surface slidably engaging a radial surface onsaid outer of said ring-like assemblies; means biasing said radialsurface on said inner of said ring-like assemblies into engagement withsaid radial surface on said outer of said ring-like assemblies; andmeans for circulating a heat exchange fluid through at least a portionof said outer of said ring-like assemblies.
 4. In apparatus forprocessing rubber, plastic and the like, a housing providing a materialprocessing chamber, a rotor having a material processing blade in theprocessing chamber with at least one end extending outwardly of theprocessing chamber through an opening in the housing, a seal forpreventing leakage or escape of material being processed between thehousing and the extension of the rotor through the opening in thehousing comprising: two concentric ring-like assemblies for closing theopening in the housing surrounding the rotor, one being orientatedradially inwardly of the other; the outer of said ring-like assembliescomprising at least two arcuate parts, means for securing said parts ofsaid outer of said ring-like assemblies to the housing; means forsecuring the inner of said ring-like assemblies to the rotor; said innerof said ring-like asseMblies having a radial surface facing away fromthe mixing chamber slidably engaging a radial surface on said outer ofsaid ring-like assemblies; means biasing said radial surface on saidinner of said ring-like assemblies into engagement with said radialsurface on said outer of said ring-like assemblies; and means forcirculating a heat exchange fluid through at least a portion of saidouter of said ring-like assemblies.